12 volt longevity and recharging??

ivbinconned wrote:
We are heading out for a 3 week tour from Saskatchewan through Calgary then south to Phoenix. Yuma, Barrago Springs, Palm Springs, Sacramento, Chico, Kelowna then back home.

Since I have them anyhow for a Solar cattle watering system I intend to use 6- 6 volt deep cycle batteries. They are great batteries.

This is an old (90)not so warm trailer so I expect our furnace will run a lot when we park. Will my 06 Ram (diesel) truck recharge my batteries just fine or should I be looking for shore power as often as possible to get them charge right up?

Appreciate any responses.

Your trucks alternator/VR system should NEVER be used to recharge a deep cycle battery with a low SOC, it will quickly BOIL the battery electrolyte off resulting in warped battery cell plates....

DEAD battery!

RV engine driven alternators generally have a higher output amperage capacity vs regular systems. They DO NOT detect battery SOC, they simply supply a regulated voltage level, >13.5 volts, with "infinite" current output as long as engine RPM provides enough drive.

The best way to overcome this problem is to connect the engine alternator's relay switched output to an 800W inverter and then plug the shore power plug into the inverter output when underway.

Provided you have decent AC-DC converter that has a controlled, SOC sensing, battery charging output your dual 6V deep cycle batteries will be SAFELY recharged even from a full discharge state.